CATCA 2025

Discover how to harness the power of AI chatbots like ChatGPT to enhance your teaching practice! In this hands-on professional development session, you’ll learn how to craft effective prompts to get tailored, high-quality results including generating engaging lesson plans, creating differentiated instructional materials, or brainstorming new pedagogical strategies. Perfect for beginners and seasoned tech users alike, this session will equip you with practical skills to use AI as a creative collaborator and thinking partner. Leave with ready-to-use examples, prompt templates, and confidence to make AI work for you in the classroom.

Increasingly sophisticated displays of artificial intelligence such as CHATGPT has elicited variegated responses ranging from experts decrying the need for regulation to educators embracing new possibilities for lesson planning and student learning. While many marvel at the alacrity by which AI churns out elaborate responses, AI is forcing people to ask themselves questions such as “what exactly divides humanity from machines?” This talk, designed for religious educators, delves into that question. One obvious answer is that machines don’t have souls. But is that really the case? And if so, why? Here we look at what exactly is a soul in light of Sacred Scripture as well as ancient and modern philosophy with the aim of better grasping what human-AI distinctions.

Join this workshop to explore strategies that leverage AI to enhance communication and connection. We will explore the intersection of AI and our social and emotional world, professional considerations for leveraging AI tools for human-centered work, and versatile strategies that work with a variety of AI tools. Participants are encouraged to bring a device, such as a laptop or tablet, for the hands-on activities included in this workshop.

A community scientist is anyone in the community who is interested in contributing data to real scientific research projects. Community science fosters scientific literacy by engaging students in meaningful science research that addresses real-world issues and leads to scientific advancement. Incorporating community science in your classrooms can be a tool to help address barriers that girls and gender diverse students face in STEM spaces. Teachers will get an intro to community science and some ideas for how to integrate community science into their curricula.

Dive into an Alberta-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiative in partnership with Lethbridge Polytechnic that enriches K-12 education with practical trades experience. The session features an interactive opportunity for you to be in your students’ shoes to explore and engage with our free digital and hands-on resources. We'll start with a brief overview of the project and its connections to the mathematics and science curricula and industry. You will then spend the majority of the session interacting with the activities and resources that can be immediately implemented into your practice. We will seek your feedback on classroom application and potential resources. You’ll leave better equipped to answer the question of “Why do I need to learn this?” by connecting mathematics and science concepts to students’ everyday lives.

Countless students and adults alike enjoy video games. But what exactly are they? A benign form of recreation, high art, engaging sport, or simply an egregious waste of time? Drawing on the insights of religion and philosophy, from the Bible to contemporary thinkers, this talk explores what the wisdom of the past says about the pursuit of leisure as well as aesthetics and how this applies to video games. It also seeks to provide teachers with novel ideas about how to introduce discussions on the ethics and aesthetics of video games, which students, in turn, can apply to other everyday realities such as sports, music and dance.

Ignite STEM learning with Gizmos, the 2024 CODiE Award Winner for Best STEM Instructional Solution for Grades K-12! When Gizmos simulations are paired with hands-on activities, student understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematical practices takes off! Participants will experience an interactive Gizmos STEM lesson and reflect upon their experience. Access to Gizmos for K-6 teachers has been provided by Alberta Education. Please bring an electronic device to get the most out of this session.

We invite you to join us for this interactive exploration into how AI can assist you to make a real difference to your work-life balance while also increasing student engagement in your classroom! You'll walk away with an abundance of custom curricular aligned teaching resources for new or existing AB curriculum as well as a supportive community to help you navigate the journey of enhancing your professional practice with AI. Let's take care of your teacher's "to-do" list, so you can take care of your students!

The objectives for this session are:
Using AI to assist you with best-practice instructional strategies, assessment, and inclusion.
Using AI to make the complexities of outcome based assessment easy to manage
Teachers will be use AI to differentiate instruction
Teachers will be able to evaluate the output of AI resources on the basis of Teacher Quality Standards
Teachers will be supported while they learn very practical ways to achieve work/life balance with the use of AI
Teachers will be taken through the necessary process of reflection to generate resources built on best practices

Discover how to bring the new K-6 Computer Science curriculum to life through engaging game development projects using MakeCode Arcade! In this hands-on session, educators will explore the basics of game design and coding, all while aligning with key curriculum outcomes. No prior experience in coding or game development is required—participants will learn how to guide students in creating their own pixelated games using an intuitive, block-based coding platform. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and lesson ideas to inspire creativity and computational thinking in your classroom.

Skilled trades through apprenticeship pathways have long provided people with exceptional means to successful careers both ‘on the tools’ and beyond into management, entrepreneurship, and other exciting roles. These pathways require significant intellectual and mental capacity which is often overlooked. The demands of every trade in areas of numeracy and literacy cannot be overstated. Red Deer Polytechnic’s School of Trades and Technology is proposing an engaging and insightful look at the work being done to raise awareness and recognize the expectations both of industry and the post-secondary institutions that support them.The fundamental nature of work that Trades people do relies upon broad numeracy and literacy skills in every activity encountered. From measuring and estimating, to calculating and projecting; trades people employ diverse and complex skills in those traditionally academic areas. It is not good enough to be a journeyperson without having key working knowledge and applied competencies in mathematics and communication skills. Presentations will share deeper insights into daily applications and requirements necessary on job sites and workplaces across the Trades spectrum. Multiple presentation deliveries highlighting different areas by a variety of trades faculty will demonstrate how numeracy and literacy is essential across the board. As an added bonus, we will clearly demonstrate how these tried and tested learning applications can be used beyond those seeking a pathway in the skilled trades. The use of practical hands-on relevant learning activities is immensely powerful in engaging and inspiring learners of any persuasion. Cooking can teach physics, chemistry, and biology in practically every activity. Geometry and trigonometry are vital in all construction areas. Calculations of volume, flow, pressure, and capacity abound throughout Plumbing and Pipe related trades.Faculty from four program areas including Carpentry, Cooking, Electrical, and Welding have created highly informative and detailed presentations emphasizing and reinforcing critical rationales for the importance of academic skills, otherwise perceived as only for university driven learners, in the trades. These presentations will be enhanced with Alumni Success Stories speaking about how math, science, and other skills helped them transition from high school to successful careers in the trades. Industry Partners who hire graduates will discuss the skills they look for in apprentices and the importance of foundational education in high school to emphasize real-world applications of what students learn in school. Interdisciplinary Faculty speaking about trades integration into other subjects like physics, engineering, technology, education, and essential critical thinking areas so teachers can prepare students for trades careers by connecting curriculum subjects that mirror real-world problem-solving. Hands-on Learning and Technology in Trades (such as VR, AR, & simulations) showcasing how new tools are changing the way apprentices learn, making subjects more engaging for students such as our welding simulators. Workforce Development and Career Path speakers addressing workforce trends and how teachers can guide students toward stable, rewarding career paths.All these presentations align well with goals of building relationships and understanding the value of trades education for future success, both for the individual, and the community at large.

This session, Critical Digital Literacy: Discussing ‘Hate’ Online, equips educators with ways to address and unpack online hate through engaging, age-appropriate methods. Teachers will learn to guide students in critically assessing their online behaviors and understanding the social and personal impacts of their digital actions. The session includes practical resources and activities to use in the classroom, case scenarios to explore real-life applications, and policy discussions centred on hate legislation and the proposed Online Harms Act. The goal is to use critical thinking to prepare students to engage responsibly and thoughtfully in digital spaces as well as their potential for influencing policy.

“It’s toxic for teens” (Instagram internal research)

“God only knows what it’s doing to our children’s’ brains.” (Sean Parker, former president of Facebook)

“Social Media is killing our youth!” (U.S. Lawmakers)

“I am calling for immediate action to protect kids’ and adolescences’ mental health on social media.” (U.S. Surgeon General)

Social media is a major contributing factor to the increase in anxiety and depression and teen suicide deaths over the past 10 years. Healthcare professionals, governments, educators, and child advocates, are sounding the alarm about the impact of social media on our youth. National award-winning speaker, mental health advocate, and social media expert, Wade Sorochan, provides the latest information on how social media is impacting todays' youth, along with vital recommendations to keep kids safe. Learn about current lawsuits and recommended policies and bans, risky online behaviour causing injury and death, whether cellphones should be allowed in schools, and more. Don’t miss this important presentation that many teachers have said is “incredibly informative and overwhelmingly relevant to me as a teacher and parent.” Wade Sorochan is the author of the ground-breaking book Unsocial Media: Virtual World Causing Real World Anxiety and is recognized as a leading mental health advocate and social media addiction expert.

Facilitate STEM learning in an engaging way with ExploreLearning Gizmos, the 2024 CODiE Award Winner for Best STEM Instructional Solution for Grades K-12! STEM Cases place students in the role of a professional to solve a real-world problem using critical thinking skills. Explore a STEM Case and reflect upon the role of the teacher during the experience. Learn how to monitor student progress and results to facilitate learning throughout the process. Access to Gizmos for K-6 teachers has been provided by Alberta Education. Please bring an electronic device to get the most out of this session.

Over the past two years I have ran an esports option class, where there have been several bumps along the way. During this session I will share some of the things that have worked and some of the things that have failed.

If you are new to the Skills world, need help to motivate fellow teachers, or you want to learn more about Skills Canada Alberta (SCA) competitions and exciting programs, this presentation is for you! This interactive presentation is important for CTF and CTS teachers, school administrators, counselors, and general teachers who teach career pathways to junior and senior high school students. Learn about the variety of educational programs that SCA has to offer such as Skills in the Classroom presentations, classroom Try-A-Trade® kits, and the junior high program Skills Exploration Day that encourages the use of empathy through design thinking. If you interact with students who are looking for an exciting career path, work well with their hands, or who want to enhance their future career opportunities, the Regional, Provincial, National, and WorldSkills competitions push students to perform at their highest level while creating projects that align with the Alberta Education CTS curriculum. Educators will also learn about an amazing field trip opportunity where students get to see over 45 trade and technology careers in action and participate in Try-A-Trades.

In this session, educators will delve into the evolving landscape of educational technology with a focus on integrating Google Gemini into the classroom. Participants will gain hands-on experience with Gemini’s innovative digital tools designed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. This beginner to intermediate session will cover practical applications, including the integration of Gemini’s interactive platforms and digital resources into various curricula. We will also explore strategies for fostering digital literacy and critical thinking in students, ensuring ethical and effective use of technology in the classroom.

AI has emerged as a tool that school-aged children have embraced, and consequently, has become a headache for teachers everywhere. This workshop offers an open discussion forum to teach the pros and cons of AI while laughing about how we’ll all eventually be replaced by talking toasters. Most importantly, it also provides useful tools and advice on how to use AI as a creative tool for writing projects.

Spark interest and engagement by using online simulations to model natural phenomena. Support learners in making sense of complex scientific concepts with visual models. Students develop a deeper sense of how a system works by interacting with variables and observing connections within systems. Best practices for teaching with Gizmos are modeled. Access to Gizmos for K-6 teachers has been provided by Alberta Education. Teachers are encouraged to bring a device.

In this dynamic session, educators will delve into the evolving landscape of educational technology with a focus on integrating Magic School into the classroom. Participants will gain hands-on experience with Magic School innovative digital tools designed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. This beginner to intermediate session will cover practical applications, including the integration of Magic School interactive platforms and digital resources into various curricula. We will also explore strategies for fostering digital literacy and critical thinking in students, ensuring ethical and effective use of technology in the classroom.

Unlock the power of computational thinking for you and your students! Discover how computational thinking can enhance problem-solving skills while connecting with storytelling, nature, art, and more. This session provides a gentle introduction to core concepts found in the new curriculum such as decomposition, abstraction, and algorithms. Through exploring a variety of activities, both plugged-in and unplugged, you’ll learn how to seamlessly incorporate these principles into your classroom regardless of subject or grade level. No prior experience in teaching computer science needed!
Please bring a laptop, Chromebook or tablet to this session

In this dynamic session, educators will delve into the artificial intelligence and its potential to transform teaching and learning. Participants will gain hands-on experience with innovative digital tools designed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. This intermediate/advanced session will cover practical applications, including the integration of LLM and digital resources into various curricula. We will also explore strategies for fostering digital literacy and critical thinking in students, ensuring ethical and effective use of technology in the classroom.

Bring coding and AI to life for early learners through games, stories, and creative play! We’ll explore foundational coding concepts and introduce basic ideas in AI, showing how computer science themes naturally fit into activities that kids love. Discover how low-tech and no-tech games like Simon Says can help illustrate how AI works alongside digital tools that teach a computer to recognize patterns or make simple choices. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for integrating these topics confidently in early education, sparking curiosity and understanding about how technology shapes the world around us.

Computer simulations provide an interactive and visual environment that promotes and supports conceptual change in physics education. They are tools that enable students to become actively engaged in their learning, encourage concept exploration and assist in developing their inquiry skills. Participants will be provided resources for an assortment of labs and activities outlined in the Physics 20-30 Program of Studies, 2007 and the physics unit of the Science 10 Program of Studies, 2005 that can be completed using the University of Colorado PhET site. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring an electronic device to explore the simulations introduced in the session.

Strengthen your students’ problem-solving skills and engage creatively with the curriculum by cre-ating games in Microsoft MakeCode Arcade! This session will provide you with the foundational knowledge to help your students design their own video games, then bring those games to life through block-based coding. Learn how computational thinking skills such as pattern recognition, algorithm design, and debugging are necessary when coding and how to connect games to cur-ricular concepts in any subject. This session explores connections to the Computer Science curricu-lum for grades 4 and up.

A laptop, Chromebook, or tablet is required for this session.
Some devices will be available for loan on a first come, first served basis.

CSA Astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, is part of the Artemis II mission and will be the first Canadian to travel around the moon! Come and learn about a variety of Canadian contributions to space exploration and how you can inspire future Artemis astronauts to help us get a maple leaf on the Moon! Amanda Green is a CSA Canadian Space Ambassador and will share all of the resources already out there and can show you how to connect space exploration to a variety of STEM subjects like; environmental science, plants, energy and electricity, coding and technology, Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, & so much more! Amanda primarily focuses on Junior High (both in English and French), but has many ideas you can use with students of all ages.

Dive into the world of interactive math simulations, where conceptual understanding and student confidence grows. Gizmos online simulations can inspire your students to think like mathematicians. Participants will engage in an interactive lesson with scaffolding fraction Gizmos. Explore Gizmos resources that you can incorporate immediately into your classroom! Access to Gizmos for K-6 teachers has been provided by Alberta Education. Please bring an electronic device to get the most out of this session.

Micro:bits are little pocket-sized computers packed with infinite possibilities! Come and see how to use this powerful tool to build engaging lessons around sustainability and energy conservation. Amanda Green will show you a variety of projects that focus on energy sources, environmental monitoring and coding for climate change. She will introduce you to InkSmith Climate Action kits and connect you with local energy organizations like Inside Education and the Alberta Emerald Foundation for free resources and potential funding. Amanda primarily focuses on Junior High (both in English and French), but has many ideas you can use with students of all ages. If you would like to try a Microbit please make sure to bring your own laptop or Chromebook.

If your audience is snoring, does it mean the presentation is boring? Any presenter can advance their ability to connect with diverse audiences by building accessible slide presentations. Learn how to leverage visual story telling, audience engagement and AI to your advantage in your next presentation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Build understanding of effective presentation design principles.
Learn practical tips & tools for building inclusive presentations.
Discuss how AI can be used to help create compelling content.

Discover how Gizmos online simulations can encourage young students to think like mathematicians. Explore the use of online simulations to enhance conceptual understanding, fostering student confidence in mathematics. Engage in a structured lesson aligned with the new Division 1 math curriculum, and access ready-to-use Gizmos classroom resources. Access to Gizmos for K-6 teachers has been provided by Alberta Education. Teachers are encouraged to bring a device.

Join me for this captivating half-day session where we’ll create our very own digital escape room. This engaging escape room is perfect for concept reviews and exciting holiday activities. Students will be presented with a video hook (as seen in the example below) and then asked to solve a series of clues to "escape" or find a location from the video.

Please bring your laptops so we can create clues tailored to your subject and classroom needs. To get a sneak peek of what we'll be working on, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wa1YhEtLik. I'm eagerly looking forward to our time together, please note that this session will be very similar to last year’s.

Enhance scientific literacy using the CER approach and ExploreLearning Gizmos, the 2024 CODiE Award Winner for Best STEM Instructional Solution for Grades K-12! This session introduces the pedagogical approach of CER, claim-evidence-reasoning, to promote scientific understanding and discourse. Participate in a modelled lesson using online science simulations to experience firsthand the strengths of a CER approach. Teachers are encouraged to bring a device.

Discover the transformative power of esports in education through my firsthand experience of launching and scaling esports programs in middle and high schools across our division. Learn how Esports can foster student engagement, enhance social-emotional learning, and create a dynamic, inclusive school community. Join me in exploring strategies for implementing a thriving esports program that prepares students for future success both in and out of the game.